this.rand()

2000 Castello D’Albola Chianti Classico Reserva
Sangiovese
$29
Score: 93

We first had Castello D’Albola Chianti Classico Reserva when eating at Sambuca’s in Addison.  It paired wonderfully with the steak I had and was decent with the herb chicken Jessica ate.

That was several years ago, and several cases of this wine later, it is official….we have finally polished off the final bottle.  Feel free to cry, we almost did.

This is an excellent CCR, but a little difficult to find in your local retailer, around here at least.  It, of course, pairs the best with red meat and other strong flavors, like herb encrusted chicken, or pork dishes.  Strong currant flavors with a woody aftertaste.  This is an excellently made wine that needs to be consumed now.  It is ready and probably a little past peak already, but still highly recommended and ready to drink.

If you want more information, check out the CellarTracker page on this great wine!

2004 Marchesi de Frescobaldi Remole
Super Tuscan ‘Sangiovese & Cabernet Blend’
$10
Score: 92

What a great surprise! I am always looking for an good to excellent wine that I can find, and is affordable. I usually have to settle for wines in the $25-$30 dollar range to get this, but this wine was perfect and for only $10!

Light ruby color, slightly off Sangiovese nose, not super bold like most Super Tuscans, with a smooth finish. Ready to drink now, but could also probably age for a couple of years without issue, perhaps getting even better. I have never gone wrong with a Frescobaldi wine, and this is no exception, perhaps our new house pour.

I had to score higher than usual due to the excellent value this wine represents, so go buy a few, enjoy with food as all Italian wine is meant to be enjoyed. Good with pork, lamb, and even chicken due to the smooth finish and subtle flavors.

2003 Montepeloso Eneo Toscana IGT
Sangiovese
$35
Score: 79

We were very unimpressed with this wine. I am unsure exactly what they did to this Tuscan wine to get such a boring and unimaginative flavor, or lack thereof, from the Sangiovese grapes, but whatever it was, they should write a book on how not to make a Tuscan wine. The food overpowered the flavor completely, so much so we didn’t even bother finishing the bottle.

1996 Bodegas Montecillo Rioja Gran Reserva
Tempranillo
$23
Score: 88

Ready for drinking now, this is an excellent example of what Tempranillo should be. Dark, smoky, with hints of floral and chocolate, this wine aged very well and is peaking now.

It goes great with strong Italian or Spanish cheeses.

2002 Deerfield Ranch Red Rex
Cabernet, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, and Zinfandel
$15
Score: 80

What a lineup for blending. Just about every major grape ‘other than Pinot’ from California goes into this wine to create a smooth yet complex and structured taste. I would have liked a little more pepper or spice to the wine to compliment my usual choice in food, but otherwise, a great wine and an amazing value.

2000 Luce La Vite Lucente Toscana IGT
Super Tuscan ‘Sangiovese & Merlot’
$30
Score: 94

This is the second bottling of Luce , the Super Tuscan from Mondavi and Frescobaldi. Great color and flavor, this is one of our all time favorite wines. Consistently excellent, and a great value at around $30. This is a high production wine, so it should be easy to find and pick up in your local stores; I have even seen them at Kroger.

2004 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Gary’s Vineyard
Pinot Noir
$45
Score: 71

First of all, SCREWTOP! Need I say more? I heard about this travesty of a wine from Grape Radio , when the wine maker was attempting to compare his wine to that of Arcadian . What a joke! This wine had no structure, tasted flat, and reminded me a lot of Welch’s grape jam. If you have money to blow and have no idea what wine should taste like, have I got the wine for you.

1999 Borgo Pretale Chianti Classico
Sangiovese
$13
Score: 88

I was looking back and I couldn’t believe I hadn’t reviewed this wine. We first had Borgo Pretale back when it was Risvera ‘pre 1998′, on our honeymoon and fell in love with it right then and there. These are hard to find and most likely have to be ordered. I can order them for you if you contact me.

With Ruby color, very floral nose, smooth finish, this is the quintessential Chianti, especially for the price. No complaints at all, only that I am running out of this great vintage.

2000 Luce della Vite Toscana IGT
Super Tuscan ‘Sangiovese & Merlot’
$70
Score: 92

Although we all know I cant stand Merlot, this is an excellent wine. A little pricey compared to its second bottling ‘Lucente’, but excellent nonetheless. Deep garnet color, great nose, wonderful complexity, like all Italian wine this will compliment any meal, but the bolder the flavors of the meat, the better this wine will perform.

This is another Super Tuscan, meaning that the grapes come from Tuscany, usually Chianti, but are not in the right ratio to merit the DOCG designation. This is not a flaw in the wine or the designation, just something to note.

Another note about this wine is that it is an Italian venture by Mondavi and Frescobaldi, two great names from different sides of the Atlantic.

2002 Salentein Malbec
Malbec
$16
Score: 85

Great color, but this was perhaps a little young still. Once some of the cork blew off, it really opened up and was quite nice. Earthly like a Malbec should be, cherries and some leather on the finish. Eat with bold food like cured beef and veggies or some hard cheese.

This is a great example of the good to excellent wines Argentina is producing at very reasonable prices. They have some Old World flair at affordable everyday prices.